- Within a half mile or a mile of our house, we have access to hiking trails and bike paths and picnic spots. For our family, that has helped promote a love of nature and the outdoors that I’m not sure we would have if we didn’t have that proximity to the Metroparks.

- Miles Market has grown exponentially. They have 10 different kinds of fruits and nuts and pasta. They have an incredible assortment of cheeses and wines. It’s similar to West Side Market, but on a much smaller scale. It’s that kind of stuff you can’t necessarily find at other places, and it’s always so fresh. It’s our own little treasure.

- People here think a 10- or 15-minute drive is long, because they aren’t really used to long commutes like Washington, D.C., or Los Angeles. People aren’t used to driving far because everything is so close. Some people look at Solon as the boondocks, which is hard to believe.

- I love being so close to downtown Cleveland and the museums and events and the shows.

- We still have independent stores. Not everything is a chain. A lot of communities don’t have that anymore.

- The rec center is not just a great place for kids. There is a great pool, a rock-climbing wall, a party center and a fitness center. There are all kinds of classes for both young and old.

- Solon needs a really walkable type of center of town. I think we need to have that kind of place where people will come and relax and sit outside and shop and see each other, rather than going in your destination place and leaving.

Comments:

Tuesday, June 02, 2009 3:35:46 PM by Mary

SOlon's crime rate is horrible- look at the crimes in the middle schools alone this year- assaulting teachers left and right our school board is lazy and so is city council and the mayor - i am moving when my oldest graduates - she likes her friends- my youngest we pulled and put in a private school - solon schools could not meet het needs- she is one of the kids who "falls between the cracks" as a high functioning autistic chil- you'd never know-But Solon is a big let down now

Friday, June 05, 2009 6:14:03 PM by Anonymous

I hate Solon. I visited the Ann Taylor Outlet store and I thought I was in the inner-city of Cleveland. Plus, within days afterwards, I heard of two major crimes in that very plaza. Never again. And where do you people shop? There are no malls anywhere nearby. I did love Caryn Groedel on Survivor, though.

Saturday, June 06, 2009 11:49:39 AM by Candy

Solon is a can of sardines. I don't live there but have relatives that do. It is a traffic jam at almost any hour of the day. They have over developed it and ruined an otherwise idea area.

Thursday, June 18, 2009 8:18:05 AM by Anonymous

Solon doesnt even have an Ann Taylor Outlet store...thats Aurora.

Sunday, June 21, 2009 10:37:24 PM by Anonymous

I have lived in Solon all my life and it has been great. Mary, you will never find a school with zero problems. This is in addition to the fact that most of Ohio would disagree with you because the Solon school system is one of best in state.

To the second commenter, there is plenty of shopping to do within a 15 minute drive. There are the shopping centers on Aurora Rd near where Geauga Lake used to be. Then there is Aurora Farms, which you have obviously been too, just a few minutes further down the road (I have no idea what you are talking about comparing Ann Taylor to inner-city Cleveland you need to get out more). Also, there is Beachwood Place, which is probably the nicest mall in the entire Cleveland area.

Cindy, at times, the main streets in Solon can be backed up. However, I look at this in a positive light because at least Solon still has a lot of business in these tough economic times. The fact that Solon has all these businesses and still has the great community that it does is amazing. It was not a fluke that Solon was the number one suburb in the Cleveland area two years in a row (the only city to do so), and is second this year.

The only complaint I have about the city is the rec center, which is a beautiful, well managed facility. One of the problems is the size of the free weight room it is basically a large shoe box. Also, it is almost frightening to think about leaving young children at the basketball courts. It is filled with young troublemakers who would rather run around starting fights with each other than play basketball.

Otherwise, Solon is the ideal city to raise a family. The only people who complain about the city are not utilizing what the city has to offer.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010 12:31:39 PM by Fayth Sims

All of those planning to move, come on over to #5! Rocky River would love to have you!